Fitzroy Crossing- visit to Tunnel Creek

Today heading out to ‘Tunnel Creek’, which is a bit of a drive 2hours one way, but we are now used to big drives, so 2hours was nothing. It was mainly dirt track too, but not as rough as traveling out to the Bungle Bungles.  We arrived out at Tunnel creek at around 10am, we needed torches and we had to be prepared to get wet, so thongs were the best option. Tunnel Creek also known as Jandamarra’s Hideaway, and here is a story behind it: Jandamarra was an aboriginal who lived in this area and in 1894 he killed a policeman holding Bunaba prisoners. (Bunaba is the traditional owners of the Fitzroy Crossing area). He evaded police for almost 3 years using Tunnel Creek as a hideaway and in1897 he was killed opposite the tunnel entrance in a gun battle with an aboriginal tracker. He is also known as Pigeon. Tunnel Creek is 750 m long under ground and half way along the tunnels have caved in. We started out and passed a few people coming, I saw they had wet feet, not bad, I can do that, I said to my self. Lily of course, I want up daddy. All of a sudden we are in darkness, torches were on but our LED torches aren’t bright enough, we had a good strong torch with us so that helped, but then we had to wade through water. I hate going into water and I can’t even see what’s in the water. Knee height was the depth, and then to a sand bank. I had 3 torches just to myself so I could see. The boys and I were slightly hesitant as Mark shines a torch over to the wall of the Tunnel and he says,”whats that shiny thing”, oh what!! , The boys and I were a bit scared but continued on, as long as Mark was by our side. Oh what! Marks tells me it was the eyes of a fresh water crocodile. I am now proud of myself for going into waters that host crocodiles. To be honest, I was so scared but had to control myself in front of the kids and told them just kept walking you’ll be right. We came to an area that the tunnel had fallen in and this was a big sand bar, so no wading in the water, thankfully. Lily and I decided we wouldn’t go any further as it was more wading in water and it looked like it got darker and darker. Where we stopped there were bats hanging from the roof of the tunnel and they were screeching like little babies. That was scary but I said to Lily they are just like a bubba crying. We hung around and waited probably 30 mins for Mark and boys to come back from reaching the end of the tunnel. It was eerie as I could see that a croc or a lizard or a snake had been in the sand with a long track in the sand. They came back, Oliver not that happy, he didn’t really enjoy it as he ended up waist deep in water and his shorts were wet. I really think he was hungry as he gets like this when the stomach is empty. Lets get out, I can’t wait but we had to pass through where Mark had seen the eyes sticking out of the water. Quick wade through, yes we are out. Not my favorite place to visit. We needed to have lunch but there were so many flies that we had to eat in the car. Drive back and kids look forward to the pool and relaxing. On the way back we drove down a street where another caravan park was and saw that the local pub just for aboriginals was and the caravan park was right next-door. This park has barbed wire all around it and a big wire gate that they close at night, mmm I wonder why? We took some photos too of what the Aboriginals do with cars when they don’t want them or maybe just when they don’t go anymore, they dump them and sometimes torch them. A lovely afternoon around the pool. Mark tried to get the car booked into be serviced in Broome but they’re   booked 2 weeks in advance. People were telling us don’t do it as they can name their price, wait until you get to Perth. We met a lady around the pool who had said that they had 3 flat tyres in one day. We have been so lucky, touch wood. Another person had said they needed to get their new Pajero towed and it cost $3700 for a short distance. Yes, it’s a gold mine up here you can name your price because they know the travelers need it. Our 2 loaves of bread were $10.60, and it was the bread we buy in Coles not fresh bakery bread. Last day of winter today and how lovely that we haven’t had much of a winter, thankfully. I’m excited Broome tomorrow, but we are going